The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

On 13 December 2010, a Robinson Helicopter Company
R22 Alpha helicopter, registered VH-FDL, departed the Georgetown
aeroplane landing area (ALA), Queensland on a private, aerial
photography flight over local mine sites.

When returning to Georgetown, at about 150 ft above
ground level, the pilot reported that he applied engine power and
then heard the engine splutter twice. This was immediately followed
by a decrease in engine revolutions per minute (RPM) and the low
rotor RPM warning horn sounding. The engine subsequently failed.
The pilot regained control of the rotor RPM and conducted a forced
landing. During the landing, the helicopter struck trees and
contacted the ground heavily. The pilot sustained no injuries,
while the passenger sustained serious injuries.

The engine was removed from the helicopter and
examined by an independent maintenance organisation. The
examination found about 7 to 10 mL of water in the carburettor. A
subsequent power test was also conducted and the engine performed
without fault.

The helicopter had been refuelled from drum stock on
the morning of the accident flight. The drum stock was tested and
no contaminants were reported.

An investigation conducted by the helicopter insurer
was unable to determine if the water found in the carburettor
contributed to the engine failure, or able to identify the source
of water contamination.